Joshua Griffith of Abingdon recently weighed in on the "sanctuary state" issue, which has led to controversy and legal wrangling that he feels is counterproductive.
"(Gov. Bruce) Rauner and the Democrats used the liberal agenda of classifying anyone who did not support the 'trust act' as racist and extremist," Griffith, who is running in the Republican primary in the 93rd House District against Rep. Norine Hammond (R-Macomb), said. "President (Donald) Trump and A.G. (Attorney General Jeff) Sessions have already notified any state or city not following the rule of law and ending safe harbors or sanctuary cities for illegal aliens will be denied any federal funding. Rather than following the law, Rauner and the Democrats joined with liberal states like California and attempted to sue the Trump administration. This political stunt is costing the lives of innocent American citizens."
Griffith said he is running against Hammond to try to reform financial practices in the state, which he describes as anti-business and onerous to citizens paying high property tax rates.
Griffith cited three Illinois families who he said have had a loved one die from violence involving someone who is in the country illegally and suggested the issue is one that state politicians should pay attention to.
"The job of elected officials are to keep the citizens of our country safe from foreign and domestic terrorists," Griffith said. "That is an oath that is taken when elected. As a veteran of the U.S. Army I take that oath seriously. It is a disgrace to those of us who have served in the military, and sacrificed our way of life to protect the ones we love, for Rauner and the Democrats to put politics before their duty to uphold the Constitution."
Griffith criticized sanctuary legislation as unsafe.
"This bill has put the lives of first responders at risk by preventing them from doing their job of properly vetting and pursuing those who are here illegally," Griffith said. "It is crucial that we support President Trump and protect our nation. Illinois is one of the friendliest states for illegal aliens at a cost of over $3 billion a year. This is not a statistic that I want to be known for. The reckless support of this bill has put the blood on the hands of Rauner and the Democrats that support it. There is a proper way to become a citizen and we need to enforce the law of legal immigration."
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